Ian Kennedy struggled to find the strike zone, and it cost the New York Yankees.

“It’s as simple as throwing strikes,” New York manager Joe Girardi said.

“You can’t win the way he is pitching. He got a lot of walks, and is behind a lot of hitters. He had a lot of three-ball counts,” Girardi said.

Remember June 21, 1978? That’s when 23-year old Jim Beattie got beat-up on the mound at Fenway Park – and, after the game, Big Stein said that Beattie looked “scared stiff” and sent him down to (Triple-A) Tacoma on the spot.

Basically, General Joe, now, is saying the same thing that George said back in 1978 – just more politely. If Kennedy doesn’t turn this around, and soon, he may be back in Triple-A too.

Then again, the Yankees offense was a joke in this game too. “Flat” with a capital “F.”

Comments on April 19th @ The Orioles

I think it’s time to send Kennedy down to work things out- particularly, finding the strike zone. Igawa and Rasner have pitched well for Scranton- could they be any worse than Kennedy’s been? With the off day Monday, whichever guy you want to call up wouldn’t be needed until Saturday; so in the meantime, bring up another reliever to cover some innings during the week. Depending on when Farnsworth’s appeal is heard, they might need another arm out there anyway.

As has been the case the last few years, the team has been built around offense. So, if the team doesn’t hit, it doesn’t matter much what the pitching does, though you would like to see them keep the team in the game, somewhat.

Given the slow starts of the past few years, I’m going to hold off before I write the team off. Talk to me again in June or July.